Coco Gauff Seizes Top Spot in Alternative Rankings as US Open Approaches

Coco Gauff’s Rise in Tennis

Coco Gauff, currently positioned as the World No. 3 in the WTA Rankings, is achieving considerable success in an alternative ranking system, where she holds the top spot. Her performance in the 2025 tennis season has been a mixture of highs and lows; she triumphed at the French Open and solidified her place among the elite players, including Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. However, the 21-year-old American has also encountered some setbacks throughout the year.

US Open Aspirations

As the US Open approaches, Gauff finds herself with the potential to ascend to the World No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career, although she currently trails the reigning champion Sabalenka by a significant margin of 3,351 points. The dynamics of the tournament present a unique opportunity for Gauff: Sabalenka is tasked with defending 2,000 points from her previous year’s performance, while Gauff had an earlier exit, landing her fourth-round loss.

If Gauff captures the title at the US Open, her points total could rise, especially if Sabalenka fails to secure more than 409 points in the tournament. Depending on this outcome, Gauff could ultimately surpass her rival and claim the top ranking, while Swiatek is set to retain at least 7,513 points.

Alternative Ranking Success

Meanwhile, Gauff’s supremacy in an alternative ranking, the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR), has been highlighted in the latest publication, placing her at the top with a rating of 12.98. This rating outstrips those of Swiatek (12.93) and Sabalenka (12.92), showcasing Gauff’s adeptness against her rivals, while other notable players like Elena Rybakina and Emma Raducanu rank fifth and ninth, respectively, within this system. Unlike traditional rankings that focus on points accumulated from match results, the UTR seeks to reflect players’ true standings based on the quality of their opponents.

Fashion and Self-Expression

In addition to her performance on the court, Gauff is also known for her vibrant fashion sense. She is passionate about self-expression through her attire, sporting unique outfits at each event and even designing her own line of sneakers. During a recent press conference, she spoke about the importance of looking good while competing, underscoring that confidence and comfort in appearance can enhance performance. Gauff believes that fashion can play a pivotal role in drawing new audiences to tennis, comparing it to other sports like basketball, which attract fans regardless of their prior knowledge of the sport.

Conclusion

In her quest for excellence, Gauff is committed to both her competitive prowess and striking fashion choices as she heads into the high-stakes US Open season.